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Quick start guide for fitness professionals and personal trainers using The Social Trainer to grow your brand and business on Instagram.

Updated October 24, 2025
Luke D.
Luke D.

Owner at The Social Trainer & Fitness Social Media Expert

Hi 👋 The Social Trainer Team here!

Welcome to The Social Trainer — we’re so excited to have you here! Whether you’re a new trainer just starting out or an experienced coach looking to grow, this guide will walk you through how to get started and use TST to build and scale your fitness business on Instagram.

If you’d like to learn more about our story and how we got here, check out our bio [here].

Let’s get started!

🚀 Getting Started

We’ve made it easy to explore everything The Social Trainer has to offer.
Head to your dashboard and check out the Getting Started resource — it walks you through all the key features and tools available inside your account.

You can also complete the Onboarding Checklist directly in your dashboard [HERE].

And don’t forget to join our Members-Only Facebook Group!
It’s an amazing place to:

  • See how other members are using TST content
  • Swap ideas and post examples
  • Ask questions and get feedback from the community

We’re here to support you every step of the way.

🧰 Before You Dive In

1) Do you have a Canva account?
You’ll need a Canva account to use our templates.

  • Canva Free: Works perfectly with all TST templates.
  • Canva Pro: Unlocks premium templates and extra tools ($13/month or $120/year).

2) Do you have a brand kit and logo established?
A consistent brand builds recognition and trust.
Create a Brand Kit with your logo variations, color palette, and fonts.
Access the TST Brand Kit Template [here].
If you want a designer’s help, try Fiverr, UpWork, or 99Designs.

3) Is your Instagram account set up for success?
Use our Instagram Audit Worksheet to review your profile setup, bio, highlights, and content strategy. It’s designed to help you attract and convert your ideal clients.

4) Consider investing in professional brand photography.
Members who use their own brand images in our templates see higher engagement and stronger connection with their audience.
Professional photos elevate your brand’s credibility, visibility, and growth potential.

💡 Pro Tip: You can DIY great photos using your phone, a $30 tripod, and good natural lighting.
Check out the Social Trainer Quarterly Branding Photo Guide to plan your next shoot.

Estimated Investment:
Professional photos typically range from $1,500–$5,000, depending on location and photographer.

5) Start getting social!
Engage with local fitness accounts, industry leaders, and other TST members.

  • Turn on post notifications for relevant accounts so you can comment early and stay visible.
  • Participate in the Members-Only Facebook Group to share wins, ask questions, and connect with other coaches.

6) Set up a landing page using an incentive from TST.
Choose a resource your audience will love from the Printables section — such as a workout guide, nutrition cheatsheet, or onboarding packet.
Use it as a lead magnet to grow your email list and capture leads.
More details on this are in the Email Marketing section.

7) Start customizing TST templates and create your posting plan.
Use the Content Scheduling Guide for step-by-step instructions on customizing templates in bulk and scheduling your posts in advance.

You’re officially ready to start building your brand, strategy, and content system with The Social Trainer. Let’s make this your most consistent and confident year yet!

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